Chavez backs workers in dispute with Coca-Cola

[Die Neue Zeit]

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9L667M81.htm



CARACAS, VENEZUELA (Associated Press)

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is backing workers in a labor dispute with Coca-Cola's bottler in the country, saying Friday that Venezuelans can live without the American soft drink.

The leftist leader raised the issue during a televised speech to supporters when he spotted a sign in the crowd denouncing "exploitation" by Coca-Cola.

"If Coca-Cola doesn't want to comply with the constitution and laws, well, one can live without Coca-Cola," Chavez said during the outdoor speech in the central city of Valencia.

Local bottler Coca-Cola Femsa de Venezuela SA said last week that shortages of soft drinks have been increasing due to a strike at a key plant in Valencia. About 1,000 workers at the plant have been striking since Jan. 14, demanding pay raises and other benefits.

Chavez said workers must be supported "in their fight against capitalism."

"Coca-Cola isn't essential. Who said Coca-Cola is needed to live?" Chavez said.

He suggested natural options like guava juice or lemonade with sugar cane juice. "Passion fruit juice is very good," Chavez said.

[Fulanito de Tal]

lol. I'm with Chavez. I voluntarily live without Coca-Cola unless it's given to me for free.

With so much bullshit that comes out of politicians, it's good to hear someone said it like it is. Straight and to the point.

[¿Que?]

Damn, I love me some high fructose corn syrup. But I guess I'm going to have to go without, in solidarity with the Venezuelan strikers.

Ah well, it's supposed to be horrible for you anyway, and it gives me the shits sometimes too.

[The Vegan Marxist]

Damn, I love me some high fructose corn syrup. But I guess I'm going to have to go without, in solidarity with the Venezuelan strikers.

Ah well, it's supposed to be horrible for you anyway, and it gives me the shits sometimes too.

You want corn syrup? Then have at it with American bread.

[¿Que?]

You want corn syrup? Then have at it with American bread.
Really? They put it in bread too?!:blink:

[Sir Comradical]

Why don't they actually expropriate all private property? I mean it's been a while now.

[The Vegan Marxist]

Really? They put it in bread too?!:blink:

Unfortunately, yes. We're the only country where bread can be used as a snack.

[Rss]

Why don't they actually expropriate all private property? I mean it's been a while now.

Because there hasn't been socialist revolution in Venezuela and he isn't a communist. He's probably end up like Allende without armed masses backing him up.

Now, don't get me wrong. I fully support Venezuela against american imperialism (though US is still the biggest oil customer they have), but I'm extremely sceptical about this "socialism for 21st century" scheme.

[AmericanSocialist]

I love Chavez. I think he should be cut some slack. He is working on bringing a socialist revolution.

[Rss]

I love Chavez. I think he should be cut some slack. He is working on bringing a socialist revolution.

Don't delude yourself, comrade. Chavez should be rigorously criticized for his "armed masses not being necessary" and "reaching socialism through bourgeois elections"-bullshit. He is nothing but a radical social-democrat marinated in trot ideas and sprinkled with liberal class collaboration. Local bourgeoise is not scared of him.

[pranabjyoti]

Well, history and historical process in Venezuela wouldn't go in Venezuela as per the will of Chavez. I have faith on the workers of Venezuela, whom I think can have enough power to change the opinion of Chavez and if necessary, they can go against the ruling of Chavez, I am sure.

[L.A.P.]

"reaching socialism through bourgeois elections"-bullshit

Are all elections considered bourgeois to you people? Nothing is ever going to happen if you're so stuck in your ways about revolution being all or nothing, it's a bit dogmatic.


He is nothing but a radical social-democrat marinated in trot ideas and sprinkled with liberal class collaboration. Local bourgeoise is not scared of him.

http://images2.memegenerator.net/ImageMacro/4382505/that-sounds-delicious.jpg?imageSize=Medium&generatorName=nasty-patty

[KurtFF8]

Don't delude yourself, comrade. Chavez should be rigorously criticized for his "armed masses not being necessary" and "reaching socialism through bourgeois elections"-bullshit. He is nothing but a radical social-democrat marinated in trot ideas and sprinkled with liberal class collaboration. Local bourgeoise is not scared of him.

This seems to be more rhetorical catch phrases of the sectarian tradition on the Left more than actual criticisms of Chavez and his real actions.

Any way, I guess people will always complain about Chavez no matter what he does.

[Bright Banana Beard]

I don't even drink coca-cola nor any pepsi, i just drink juice.

[Rss]

Are all elections considered bourgeois to you people? Nothing is ever going to happen if you're so stuck in your ways about revolution being all or nothing, it's a bit dogmatic.


It's because I'm white, isn't it?

Like I said, Chavez should be supported critically against american imperialism. It doesn't mean that we should tear him down in frothing rage while muttering something about revisionist heretic for not going to socialism straight away, nor does it mean that we should keep applauding him for being "best friend" of Colombia's Santos and surrendering guerillas of ELN and FARC over to Santos' regime. Hell, they've even arrested some CWI activists.

But really, I see him mostly as progressive character. I apologize if I appeared as dogmatic and judgemental prick, but I think that Chavez should be truly judged by communists for what he does, not for his rhetorics.

@KurtFF8: People will always complain about any leftist leader, no matter what they do.

Oh, and I don't even drink coke unless someone offers me some. Strawberry/Blueberry juice with no artificial sweeteners tastes much better and is much cheaper.

[KurtFF8]

I think whether you drink coke or not is irrelevant. That whole "voting with your dollar" or changing your personal consumption habits is a very liberal notion of how to change the world that ignores how power actually functions in society.

E.g. Buying "Green" doesn't prevent capital accumulation from destroying the planet.

[Rss]

I think whether you drink coke or not is irrelevant. That whole "voting with your dollar" or changing your personal consumption habits is a very liberal notion of how to change the world that ignores how power actually functions in society.

E.g. Buying "Green" doesn't prevent capital accumulation from destroying the planet.

I don't think that any genuine communist buys this "voting with your dollar" green scheme.

It's just that I find that coke tastes like cleaning agent residue compared to genuine juice or better quality soda.

[28350]

"Passion fruit juice is very good," Chavez said.

What a revisionist.

[Rss]

What a revisionist.

True communists drink rutabaga juice.

[Sir Comradical]

Because there hasn't been socialist revolution in Venezuela and he isn't a communist. He's probably end up like Allende without armed masses backing him up.

Now, don't get me wrong. I fully support Venezuela against american imperialism (though US is still the biggest oil customer they have), but I'm extremely sceptical about this "socialism for 21st century" scheme.

I'd have to agree. Although if he did argue for the full socialist transformation of the Venezuelan economy, I don't see why the people would oppose him. It may push the yanks into an armed invasion but if it's socialism that the people are fighting for, then they'll probably come out battered and bruised but not defeated.

[Pretty Flaco]

At least he's supported the Venezuelan workers on a large scale. It's better than not at all.

Coke does taste really nasty. Pepsi is very sweet though, which is why I think it's okay to drink occasionally. Coke is straight up disgusting.